Have you ever felt that you don’t really ‘get’ contemporary art, but want to learn more? This five-week course will help you demystify contemporary art and learn about artists who have shaped art in Aotearoa, from Ralph Hotere to Yuki Kihara.

Led by art historian and educator Mikayla Journée, the course will help you build the skills to look closely at artworks, confidently talk about what you see and understand the ideas and cultural context behind the works. You’ll take part in illustrated talks, relaxed group discussions, curator talks and close looking at artworks.

What to expect

For the first four weeks, each session starts in the classroom with an illustrated talk and group discussion. We’ll then move into exhibition spaces at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki to explore the fundamental practice and works in Taimoana | Coastlines: Art in Aotearoa.

In the final week, the group will head out of the Gallery for an excursion to see more contemporary art in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Details are still to come and transport is not included.

Learning goals

By taking part, you’ll have the chance to:

• Learn what contemporary art is, how it originated and some of its key ideas.
• Build confidence in looking at, talking about and understanding contemporary artworks, even when the artist or artwork is new to you.
• Explore how artists have responded to political and social issues over the past 50 years, including gender, capitalism, racism and popular culture.
• Learn about New Zealand artists who have helped shape contemporary art, past and present.
• Build a lasting interest in contemporary art.

This programme is for Members only. If you have a guest pass, you can also book for a friend. Each session is limited to 20 people. Morning tea is provided for the first four classes.

Book now

 

Become a Gallery Member today to enjoy this course and many more benefits.

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Natasha Conland

Natasha has 20 years' experience developing exhibitions of contemporary art. She writes for several contemporary arts journals and catalogues in the Asia Pacific region and co-edited Reading Room, a peer-reviewed journal of contemporary art published by the Gallery’s E H McCormick Research Library. Her curatorial projects include Louise Bourgeois: In Private View (2025–26), Aotearoa Contemporary (2024), Groundswell: Avant Garde Auckland: 1971–79 (2018), Shout Whisper Wail (2017) and Necessary Distraction: A Painting Show (2016). She has diverse interests which include art in public spaces and the dissemination of the historic avant-garde.

 

Ane Tonga

Ane Tonga became Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s inaugural Curator, Pacific Art in 2020. With more than 15 years’ experience, she has held leadership roles including Lead Exhibitions Curator at Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa and has developed exhibition projects across Aotearoa. Her research interests include Pacific art, curatorial and lens-based practices, and Indigenous feminisms. Her recent curatorial projects include Darcell Apelu: Carry Me with You (2023), Kindred: A Leitī Chronicle (2022), Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda (2022), Kereama Taepa: Transmission (2020) and Edith Amituanai: Double Take (2019). Ane has also held governance roles with the Contemporary HUM Trust Board and the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa. She holds qualifications in art history, museums and cultural heritage, and fine arts from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau and Elam Fine Arts, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland..